PNG-APP donates three new prison vans to centres

PNG - APP donates three new prison vans centres.

Three brand
new robustly kitted prison vans were
donated to three police command centres
in the country, to ensure inmates are securely transported to court on time and
court cases are heard and expedited in a timely manner.

The vans were donated by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) through
the PNG Australia Policing Partnership (PNG-APP)
program.

Chief of Police Operations, Acting Deputy Commissioner,
David Manning said that vans would
specially enhanced transportation
and security for detainees in police custody.

“The donation is timely and vital to the Constabulary
with prisoners’ movements in NCD, Morobe and the West New Britain province
where vans are being donated so far,” said Chief Manning.

“The concern came about when Judges and magistrates
often criticized the Constabulary for failing to bring felons to court on time,
thus availability of a new prison van in those provinces will definitely
improve security for inmates’ transfers and alleviate the problems of arriving
late for court sessions.”

Presented at the ceremony were Commander Giles, Mr.
Manning, Commander of NCD/Central Assistant Commissioner, Donald Yamasombi and
senior AFP and RPNGC officers came together in a small but significant
ceremony.

“We cannot thank you enough for the generosity
afforded to the constabulary as it added what is good for the partnership is
also good for the community,’’ Mr Manning said

Commander Giles said the PNG-APP was extending its
reach beyond Port Moresby and Lae because there is a very big necessity for
such resources and logistics in the other provinces.

“Specifically, on this occasion, one of the vehicles
is going to Kimbe. By donating the vehicle to Kimbe, the
PNG-APP was doing something visible for
the other provinces, away from its traditional boundaries in Port Moresby
and Lae,”
said Mr. Giles.

Commander Giles added that
for three years (2015-2018) , the
PNG -Australia Policing partnership program focused on APEC 2018 by donating
boats, vehicles and motor bikes.

He said more concentration and
emphasis was also placed on training and equipping the Close Protection
Officers (CPO), but added that the program was now shifting back into
supporting other areas of policing.

It is expected that one of the vans will be shipped across to Kimbe
later this month.